Conflict of Interest (Employee Relations Book 1) (12 page)

“Right, you mentioned that.” God, I hate that I want to smile too. I hate that the mischievous twinkle in his eyes make my stomach flip. I hate how well he wears his pretentious suits. And I really, really hate that I want to peel it off him and run my hands up his bare chest because I guarantee it’s chiseled.

Lucas casually strides toward me with one hand in his pocket and rests against the doorframe with the other. He leans in and I grab the strap of my bag so that my hands are occupied. When his tie grazes my knuckles I clutch the leather so tight I’m at risk of puncturing the palm of my hand with my fingernails, yet the alternative of fisting the fabric and giving it a yank is so much worse that I don’t ease my grip.

I need to get out of here.

“That was four words since you’re counting,” he quietly informs me before pushing back slightly.

His eyes dart to my bare legs. The asshole gives a sexy lopsided grin that makes me certain he’s torturing me on purpose.
Asshole
. “And if memory serves,” he continues. “You had something to take care of as well. You should thank me.”

“Ha!” I roll my eyes and somehow convince my feet to start moving. I no longer want to yank on his tie so his body stumbles forward and is physically pinning me to the wall. I want to strangle him till he’s unconscious. “Don’t hold your breath.” I waste no time heading to the elevator.

“That something only you’re allowed to do?” he calls after me.

I stop in my tracks. “What did you say?” I call over my shoulder.

Nothing
.

For a moment I worry he knows how much his touch affected me in the staff meeting; that his hand on my leg literally left me breathless. Relief washes over me seconds later when I remind myself that Lucas doesn’t seem that perceptive.

I turn around to face him. He isn’t there.

And per usual, he got the last word.

Bastard
.